The overall objectives of this group are to further the understanding of metabolic pathways involved in seed development and germination (Dyer and Raboy), and to describe plant receptor molecules and signal transduction mechanisms (Sharrock, Stout). The following areas will be studied: carbohydrate and storage phosphorus (Raboy) metabolism in the developing barley kernel; developmental mechanisms regulating oat seed germination (Dyer); the role of phytochrome in sensing environmental light cues (Sharrock); the biochemical regulation of ATPases in membrane transport mechanisms and the role of calcium in rapid phytochrome responses (Stout). Specific research goals include the isolation of mutants in metabolic and regulatory pathways, molecular characterization of genes, and the regulation of their expression, and purification and analysis of enzymes.